MAPLE RIDGE – Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture and MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Lisa Beare, and Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eith are welcoming $39,255 through the province’s BC Arts Council Grant Program for community projects that will create new programs that encourage more inclusivity and accessibility in the creative sector, including those that support emerging Indigenous artists.

“This grant funding will ensure people in Maple Ridge have the opportunity to participate in the creative sector,” said MLA Beare. “Participating in the arts is an integral part of building meaningful community connections.”

“As a musician and long-time advocate for arts and culture, I am always delighted to see investments in the arts,” said MLA D’Eith. “I hope this funding boost will help more people in our community discover all that Maple Ridge has to offer.”

Recipients in Maple Ridge benefiting from this latest round of grants includes:

The Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Arts Council: $32,255

Manuel A. Strain, recipient of Professional Development Arts Award: $7,000

Budget 2019 announced an additional $15 million over the next three years to the BC Arts Council, bringing its annual budget to $34 million in 2019-20.

In addition to new programs, this investment will also enable the council to further build on the funding increase provided in 2018 to enhance the capacity of arts and culture organizations in more than 200 communities.